Nikon D600 versus Fujifilm X-E3

The Nikon D600 and the Fujifilm X-E3 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively,
in September 2012 and September 2017. The D600 is a DSLR, while the X-E3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a full frame (D600) and an APS-C sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 24.2 megapixel, whereas the Fujifilm provides 24 MP.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D600 and the Fujifilm X-E3 is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If you prefer, you can also use the toggle button to switch to a comparison in percentage terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the D600 – represents the basis or 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

Body view (D600 on the left)

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Fujifilm X-E3 is considerably smaller (44 percent) than the Nikon D600. Moreover, the X-E3 is substantially lighter (60 percent) than the D600. It is worth mentioning in this context that the D600 is splash and dust resistant,
while the X-E3 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses
that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist.
You can find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D600) and the Fujinon X Lens Catalog (X-E3). Mirrorless cameras, such as the X-E3, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside
a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another
camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table.
Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The X-E3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 57 percent) than the D600, which puts it into a different market segment.
Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available.
Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting
and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be
found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D600 features a full frame sensor and the Fujifilm X-E3
an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the X-E3 is 57 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sensor size

With 24.2MP, the D600 offers a slightly higher
resolution than the X-E3 (24MP), but the D600 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of
5.97μm versus 3.92μm for the X-E3) due to its larger sensor. However, the X-E3 is a somewhat more recent model (by 4 years and 11 months) than the D600, and its sensor
might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X-E3 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Sensor resolution

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the X-E3 provides a better video resolution than the D600. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the X-E3 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the D600 has an optical one.
Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information
into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon D600 and Fujifilm X-E3 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. If needed, the dpreview camera hub, for example, contains further detail on the cameras' specs.

The X-E3 is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock.
In contrast, the D600 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D600 was succeeded by the Nikon D610.

Summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D600 or the Fujifilm X-E3 – has the upper hand? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D600:

Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.

Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.

Easier setting verification: Has an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.

Longer lasting: Can take more shots (900 versus 350) on a single battery charge.

Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.

Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.

More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2012).

Advantages of the Fujifilm X-E3:

Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.

More compact: Is smaller (121x74mm vs 141x113mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.

Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 513g or 60 percent) and is thus easier to take along.

More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.

More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (57 percent cheaper at launch).

More modern: Reflects 4 years and 11 months of technical progress since the D600 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-E3 is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features.

D600 07:11 X-E3

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D600 or the X-E3 handle or perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites. The detailed reviews can be accessed, respectively, on the websites of cameralabs.com, dpreview.com, ephotozine.com, imaging-resource.com, and photographyblog.com.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored. If the camera you are interested in is not available, please contact me, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.